Whatever may pass, and whatever lies before me
Let me be singing when the evening comes

So many times in life we get stuff thrown at us that feels like it might destroy us. We aren’t sure how The Lord expects us to get through it. We don’t understand why He’s “allowing” us to suffer. It’s hard to keep our focus on Him when these things happen. And so that line really hits home for me. WHATEVER comes my way, WHATEVER’S down the bend, I want to be SINGING when the evening comes. I don’t want to be found ill equipped or unready for battle. I don’t want to be found with my tools laying at my side. I want to be found singing His glorious praises, spiritual tools in hand!

This life is temporary, friends. The pain will not last forever, it can’t. Because in Heaven there is no pain. There is such an amazing future for the children of God. This earthly life is not the end of your story.

Keep singing His praises! You’re not singing alone, we are all singing with you. Let Heaven hear the choir of His children singing loud for all to hear!

From the day you were born
And took your first breath
You opened your eyes and in came the light
He was watching you
But all of your life you couldn’t shake the lies in your head
Saying you’re a mistake
Oh but you were made
By a God who knows your name
He doesn’t make mistakes

CHORUS
You are wanted
To every broken heart, He stands with open arms
You are wanted
To every searching soul, look to the rising sun
If you’re lonely, hurting, gone too far
To the outcast you come as you are
For you, you are wanted, you, you are wanted
You, you are wanted, you, you are wanted

Let this be the day that joy takes the place
Of all of the years that shame tried to steal away
He is calling you
Lift your eyes to see His face
Come run into the arms of grace

CHORUS

You, you have been marked
You’re set apart
And He calls you His
So you don’t have to search
Don’t have to look for where you belong

My brother, Matt, has been in the hospital again. Over a week so far this time. It turns out the duct (I think that’s what it’s called) between his gallbladder and pancreas is much smaller than its supposed to be, so they took care of that. But then that caused the pancreatitis to worsen, which isn’t unusual..but not what his body needed! The lipase count skyrocketed back up to 2400, and the pain was no good!

So..then they decided after a few days that it was time to remove the gallbladder and hope it would help/remedy the problem. That brings us to yesterday, surgery day! They removed the gallbladder, he made it through surgery fine, and as always, had a good attitude/outlook.

I checked in with him earlier today to see how he was feeling and he said he was doing great! He said the lipase count was down to 399! What?! 399?!? Wow!!! I don’t think it’s been that low since this whole thing hit his system back in May. Of course the goal is to still get it down much lower. But 399 was AWESOME NEWS!!! He says the pain is less now. Of course, he has the pain from the gallbladder removal surgery, but I’m sure that’s a cakewalk compared to the other pain he’s had. He will try food in a few days.

I’m not sure when he will get to leave the hospital, but his wife and son are sure ready for him to be HOME. So lets pray he keeps improving and gets to go home very soon.

I am so excited to be able to give you all, my fellow prayer warriors, this wonderful update! Thanks very much for continuing to pray for him, I appreciate you all more than I could ever express.

Another update..this time on me and my “dirty mouth”! (Anyone else think of the Orbit commercial when I said that? Haha) Im doing sooo well! I think I told you I’ve slipped a few times, but the improvement is awesome. I don’t even think swear words anymore! When I see them at random times online, my spirit cringes a bit. So thank you for your prayers on that.

They were able to transfer Uncle Tim back to a Portland hospital, but last we heard he was still in a coma. The update today said that today was “the big day” for him and to be thinking of/praying for him..but none of us knew what that meant. We hope to get a real update soon.

Whatever you’re dealing with today, whether spiritual, physical, or otherwise, know that my prayers are with you. Keep praising Him in advance – it may not come today, it may not even come next week – but, believe me, breakthrough is on the way, friends!

Blessings to you and yours,

Sarah

But those who wait upon God get fresh strength. They spread their wings and soar like eagles, they run and don’t get tired, they walk and don’t lag behind. -Isaiah 40:31

When you think you can’t go on, keep going anyway. It’s when the night seems darkest, that the dawn is closest. You will make it through. Lean on His everlasting arms, and there’s nothing that can take you under. You will be ok. You will smile again. Don’t give up, look up!

“..I’ve found the recipe for being happy whether full or hungry, hands full or hands empty. Whatever I have, wherever I am, I can make it through anything in the One who makes me who I am.” – Philippians 4:12b-13

It’s not too late to start again. You get to choose the road you take, and you get to choose how long you stay on that path. If you’re finding yourself on the wrong path today, I encourage you to STOP, change direction, and start journeying down the right path. In reading The Word, you will find much encouragement and direction for your journey. You’re not in this alone. There are brighter days ahead!

Take a minute or two and read Psalm 103, I think you will find it very helpful. 🙂

My prayers are with you on this journey to growth!

You are blessed,

Sarah

————–

Today’s devo selection:

A NEW ROUTE
By: Joel Osteen

I know people who feel like they’ve wasted years of their lives because of poor choices. They spent years in a relationship that was toxic, years with an addiction, years at a job where they weren’t fulfilled. But you have to realize, nothing you have been through is ever wasted. Your past experiences, good and bad have deposited something on the inside of you. Those challenges have sharpened you to help make you who you are today.

When the enemy brings hardship into your life, God has a way of taking that experience and turning it around for your advantage. You may think you’ve hit a dead end, but if you’ll stay in faith, you will see God begin to open up a new route. He’ll put the right people in your path, the right opportunities, the right circumstances to move you forward toward your God-given destiny.

Today, don’t focus on what’s happened in your past, focus on what God will do in your future. He wants to restore your soul and revive your dreams. Keep believing, keep expecting, keep hoping because God has a new route for your future!

Prayer:
Father God, I come humbly before You today. I give You my past, present and future knowing that You will redeem my life. I release those who have hurt me, I choose forgiveness so I can be free to move forward in the new route You have for me in Jesus’ name. Amen.

Scripture:
He forgives your sins—every one. He heals your diseases—every one. He redeems you from hell—saves your life! He crowns you with love and mercy—a paradise crown. He wraps you in goodness—beauty eternal. He renews your youth—you’re always young in his presence. (Psalm 103:3-5 MSG)

So many of us just assume we will experience the whole “Sitting on the rocking chair on the front porch, watching the grand kids play while we sip on iced tea” moment.

For some of us, yes, that will happen. For others of us, it just won’t. The truth is, we could be gone tomorrow. We could pass away while reading this very blog entry. We just don’t know.

You don’t know what will happen tomorrow. What is life? You are a mist that is seen for a moment and then disappears.
– James 4:14

That scripture makes it pretty dang clear, right? We humans get so caught up in priding ourselves on longevity, that we forget what He said. We are but a mist. Here one moment, gone the next.

So should we live depressed, constantly focused on death, and how we are destined to die? Should we forget about doing things for others, or getting close to people, because there’s no sense in it if we’re just gonna die? Heck no!

What I get from James 4:14 is that, yes, I am only a mist in time. I only have but a moment in this world. But, to me, that means I have a lot to do in that moment! Lives to change, people to love, situations to forgive, goals to reach, failures to learn from, people to lead to The Light, and a Savior to love with everything I have.

Instead of living depressed and focused on the upcoming death of our human body, we should live with excitement! With an insatiable motivation to be all we can be while here on this earth. Because although we are only here but a moment, we do leave a mark. So we should make that mark a good one.

Tomorrow isn’t promised, but eternity is.

If you’ve put off getting saved because you think you’ll do it tomorrow..or when you aren’t embroiled in such sin..or when you get done partying..I suggest you stop, and make the change now.

It’s never to early to change, but it can be too late.

When life’s over, the chance to be saved is over. The best time to make that change is right now, this very instant.

If you’ve never been saved, or if you’ve walked away, it’s time to make a change. To make your moment here on earth worth it. Say this simple prayer:

Lord Jesus, I ask you into my heart today. I know that accepting You into my heart is the only way to Heaven. Today I lay down my own desires and plans, and I instead submit to Your desires and plans. I know Your plans are so much better than my own. Thank you for forgiving my sins, and for accepting me into your family. It’s in your name I pray. Amen.

Have a beautiful day everyone. Live it with joy, and newfound fervor! Life is beautiful, and the part you play in this world is so very important. You matter! Start acting like it!

You are blessed,

Sarah

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I'm on a never ending journey of spiritual growth. I'm a bit (a lot) sarcastic, with a dry sense of humor. I enjoy raw, real conversations. The truth of who we are is so much better than the charade!
I'm a wife and mom, and I love it! My life is busy, fulfilling, and challenging. It's been about ups and downs, twists and turns, stagnation and growth. Today, I choose growth above bathing in the chaos of stagnation.
Most importantly, I'm forever in love with my Savior, and want to encourage you to grow in Him. Knowing that He adores you, and has a great plan for your life. You're never alone, there's no pit deep enough that the touch of Grace can't reach down and pull you out.
I look forward to hearing from you!

Trust me, I've been there, I've looked, I've searched and I know now, that there are no answers to be found in the bottom of a bottle or on the edge of a blade! Fighting Hard, Recovering, Rebuilding, REBORN. Moving on from addiction to a new life.

Romans 8:16-17: “The Spirit Himself bears witness with our spirit that we are children of God, and if children, then heirs—heirs of God and joint heirs with Christ, if indeed we suffer with Him, that we may also be glorified together.”